You're not a kid anymore, so you don't have to worry about shots, right? Wrong. Find out how to stay on top of your vaccines.

Vaccines for adults are recommended based on your age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, occupation and where you travel.

The schedule is updated every year, and changes range from the addition of a new vaccine to tweaks of current recommendations. To determine exactly which vaccines you need now and which vaccines are coming up, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

Several factors can affect whether you should get certain vaccines — or wait before getting them. Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

Are or might be pregnant

Are breast-feeding

Are moderately or severely ill or have a chronic illness

Have any severe allergies

Had a serious allergic reaction to a previous dose of a vaccine

Have had a disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome

Have a weakened immune system or are being treated with an immunosuppressant

Have recently had another vaccine

Have recently had a transfusion or received other blood products

Have a personal or family history of seizures

Adults of any age can benefit from vaccines. However, certain diseases, such as the flu and shingles, can be particularly serious for adults older than 65.

To gather information about your vaccination status, talk to your parents or other caregivers. Check with your doctor's office, as well as any previous doctors' offices, schools and employers. Some states also have registries that include adult immunizations. To check, contact your state health department.

If you can't find your records, talk to your doctor. He or she might be able to do blood tests to see if you are immune to certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. You also might need to get some vaccines again.

To stay on top of your vaccines, ask your doctor for an immunization record form. Bring the form with you to all of your doctor visits and ask your provider to sign and date the form for each vaccine you receive.

Vaccines and preventable diseases: Who should not get vaccinated with these vaccines? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/should-not-vacc.htm. Accessed Jan. 2, 2014.

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